Adaptogens

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogens are herbs, roots and other plants that have been found to help our bodies adapt to and manage stress, and maintain balance. Hunter Gatherer Foods uses lion’s mane and maca in our protein granola for their many health benefits.

Lion’s mane

Lion’s mane is derived from the fungus Hericium erinaceus. Found mainly in Asia, lion’s mane has been used for thousands of years by traditional herbalists for cognitive and nervous system support. Recent research (or for a simplified version, click here) suggests that lion’s mane can improve cognitive performance, mood and wellbeing, and decrease stress.

Maca

Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, is a herbaceous plant indigenous to the Andes Mountains. Maca has shown potential for a great variety of health enhancements including having anti-inflammatory properties, immunoregulation, and antioxidant effects (for a simplified version, click here). Maca can combat fatigue, reduce blood pressure, and improve mood, allergies, hormone and metabolic regulation, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health and muscle growth. It even has potential anti-tumour properties.

Can everyone, including kids, have adaptogens?

Yes. The key to adaptogens is their dosage and our products contain a safe dosage for everyone, including children of all ages. We give our own children Hunter Gatherer products so that they too can have the health benefits from these ingredients.

Protein

Why is a protein rich diet so important?

Research has shown that low muscle mass and strength is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality. A protein rich diet, combined with exercise, can protect against these effects. However, getting enough healthy protein in your diet can be difficult and most people do not hit their recommended intake of protein each day.

What kind of protein is in Hunter Gatherer Foods granola?

Hunter Gatherer adaptogenic protein granola includes ingredients that are naturally rich in protein, like nuts and seeds. We also enrich our granola with a blend of plant-based proteins. We use these types of protein because they contain more fibre, they are suitable for vegans and non-vegans alike and because dairy is an allergen for some people. The protein we use is also free of other common allergens like soy and wheat and our blend makes it a more complete protein source. Each of our granolas has 10 grams of protein per serve.

Other key ingredients

Monk fruit

Hunter Gatherer Foods uses pure monk fruit juice extract powder to sweeten our batch #58 (low sugar) protein granola. Monk fruit - or luo han guo - is a small fruit native to southern China. It is typically used as a natural sweetener, is calorie-free and safe for diabetics. In addition, research suggests it has anti-inflammatory properties (for a simplified version, click here).

Cacao

Cacao is full of antioxidants, including a class of polyphenol antioxidants called flavonoids. These boost heart health and the immune system, and may help to regulate blood glucose levels (for a simplified version, click here).

All of our Hunter Gatherer granolas contain cacao, in the form of pure cacao powder or cacao nibs.

Ginger

Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (for a simplified version, click here).

Batch #49 (the o.g.), batch #50 (nut free) and batch #58 (low sugar) contain ginger.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is full of powerful antioxidants and has been used to reduce inflammation. Cinnamon has also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and helps to lower blood sugar levels (for a simplified version, click here).

Batch #49 (the o.g.) protein granola, batch #50 (nut free) protein granola and batch #58 (low sugar) protein granola contain cinnamon.

Extra virgin olive oil

Olive oil is rich in oleic acid which is a monounsaturated fat that has a beneficial effect on cancer, autoimmune diseases and inflammation (simplified version, click here).

Batch #49 (the o.g.) protein granola, batch #50 (nut free) protein granola and batch #58 (low sugar) protein granola contain extra virgin olive oil.

Goji berries

Goji berries are packed with vitamins and minerals, have been found to have anti-aging and anti oxidative properties and may enhance immunity (simplified version, click here).

We include goji berries in our batch #49 (the o.g.) protein granola and batch #50 (nut free) protein granola.

Wheat free oats and gluten free ingredients

Gluten intolerance

We have gluten intolerant members of our family and we made this granola for them! Hunter Gatherer protein granola is made with gluten-free ingredients, including wheat-free rolled oats, and is suitable for those with gluten intolerance. (Our products are made in an environment where gluten may be present, and although we do have a thorough cleaning process, there is a small but unlikely chance of cross-contamination.)

Coeliac disease

Oats are in fact naturally gluten-free, although they do contain a different protein called avenin, which some people with coeliac disease may react to. As a result, we cannot label Hunter Gatherer granola as officially gluten-free for coeliacs in Australia (although, strangely, we could label it as gluten-free overseas, for example in the US, Canada and Europe). The oats we use have been tested for the gluten found in wheat, rye and barley and nil has been detected within the test limit of <5ppm.  In the US, Europe and UK, the gluten-free threshold is <20ppm.

We have adopted a science-based 'food as medicine’ approach in creating Hunter Gatherer Foods protein granola. We have carefully and specifically selected ingredients for their health benefits.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of Hunter Gatherer protein granola.